From its pioneering filmmakers and beloved stars to the photographers who shaped their public image, Marathi Chitrapat: Stories and Stardom at NGMA, Fort, traces more than a century of Marathi cinema through rare portraits, film stills and archival treasures. Curated by archivist Neha Kamat and conceptualised by NGMA director Nidhi Choudhari, the exhibition is a deep dive into a film industry that continues to influence Indian aesthetics.

“Marathi cinema gave India its first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), and has shaped the country’s cinematic landscape for more than a century. Following the success of NGMA Mumbai’s Lens & Legacy: Bollywood in Focus, the gallery turned its attention to the industry’s roots with the current exhibition,” says photographer Mangesh Pawar.